We use cookies to customise content for your subscription and for analytics.If you continue to browse Lexology, we will assume that you are happy to receive all our cookies. For further information please read our Cookie Policy.

Turkish internet surveillance laws ruled unconstitutional

According to reports, two amendments to Turkey’s Internet law expanding the government’s online surveillance powers have been ruled unconstitutional by the nation’s highest court. The court overturned provisions of the Omnibus Bill No. 6552 passed by the Turkish parliament last month, which authorized the Telecommunications Directorate (TIB) to access web traffic records and block websites without a court order. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had approved the new law in September amid intensified international concern over his government’s crackdown on internet use and freedom of expression. One provision required ISPs to log and store data on users’ online activities for two years and turn it over at any time, without judicial authorization, to the TIB. The second enabled the TIB to issue website blocking requests without a court order – and shut down any ISPs that did not comply.